Mounted Snow Plow

ABSTRACT

An attachment mechanism includes a horizontal top and bottom member; a vertical member with a top and bottom wherein the top horizontal member is attached to the top of the vertical member and the bottom horizontal member is attached to the bottom of the vertical member; and a vehicle and a snow plow wherein the vehicle is attached to the top vertical member and the snow plow is attached to the bottom vertical member.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to snow plow mounting frame assemblies,and more particularly to a snow plow mounting frame assembly which iscapable of being attached to almost any type of vehicle, including mid-to full-size pickup trucks, vans, and the like.

The present invention is in the same general field as U.S. Pat. No.3,605,906 to Coates, U.S. Pat. No. 5,050,321 to Evans, and U.S. Pat. No.5,353,530 to Pieper. However, none of these patents are directed to asnow plow mounting frame assembly which can be attached to almost anytype of vehicle, including mid- to full-size pickup trucks, vans, etc.Moreover, none of these frame assemblies are capable of mounting thereonalmost any type of commercially available snow plow blade. Heretofore,for each make and year, a separate and unique mounting frame assemblywas required for that particular truck design. Moreover, the frameassembly could only receive and mount thereon one type of snow blade.

The foregoing illustrates limitations known to exist in present snowplow mounting frame assemblies.

Thus, it is apparent that it would be advantageous to provide animproved mounting frame assembly directed to overcoming one or more ofthe limitations set forth above. Accordingly, a suitable alternative isprovided including features more fully disclosed hereinafter.

Accordingly, among the several objects of the present invention are theprovision of an improved snow plow mounting frame assembly which canmount on almost any type of vehicle, including mid- to full-size pickuptrucks, vans, and the like; the provision of such a mounting frameassembly which can mount thereon almost any type of commerciallyavailable snow plow blade; the provision of such a mounting frameassembly which is easy to install with a drill and hand tools; theprovision of such a mounting frame assembly which reduces the need ofsuppliers of such assemblies to stock many different makes and models offrame assembles; the provision of such a mounting frame assembly havingcomponent parts which are releasably and adjustably mounted on supportmembers; and the provision of such a mounting frame assembly which issturdy in construction, and has a neat, clean appearance.

In general, the present invention is directed to a snow plow mountingframe assembly capable of being attached to nearly any type of fourwheeled vehicle having a chassis, and capable of mounting thereon nearlyany make and model of commercially available snow plow blades. Themounting frame assembly comprises a horizontally disposed, heavy dutybumper member which is mounted on the chassis of the vehicle, and a pairof spaced-apart, vertically disposed support members which are mountedon the bumper member forwardly thereof. Each support member has an upperportion extending above the bumper member and a lower portion extendingbelow the bumper member. A pair of lateral support arms, one for eachsupport member, each have one end pivotally attached to the lowerportion of its respective support member and its other, opposite endpivotally attached to the chassis of the vehicle. Means is provided formounting a snow plow blade thereon, the mounting means being releasablyand adjustably attached to the lower portions of the support members.

More specifically, the mounting means of the present invention comprisesa horizontally disposed bar having opposite ends, each end of the barhaving an end plate with a plurality of openings formed therein whichare aligned with openings formed in the support member for releasablyand adjustably attaching the bar at a desired elevation to the supportmembers. The mounting means further comprises a plurality of snow plowblade receiving plates, each having a plurality of openings formedtherein for attaching thereto a snow plow blade.

Additionally, the mounting frame assembly includes a plow blade liftassembly having a piston pivotally attached at one end thereof to thebumper member. A plow blade lift cross support member is mounted on theupper portions of the support members for attaching thereto a lift barpivotally attached at one of its ends to the cross support member andpivotally attached at its other, opposite end to the other end of thepiston.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention shall becomeapparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered inconnection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplatedfor carrying out the present invention:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a universal snow plow mounting frameassembly of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a snow plow mounting frame assembly of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a universal snow plow mounting frameassembly of the present invention attached to a tractor;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly FIG. 1 , there isgenerally indicated at 10 a snow plow mounting frame assembly of thepresent invention. The mounting frame assembly 10 is capable of beingmounted laterally on a vehicle, tractor, buggy, or other similarvehicles. The snow plow mounting frame is attached at the top, widestportion, to the vehicle. This attachment can occur on the frame of thevehicle, bumper or other portion of the vehicles so as to securelyattach the mounting frame to the vehicle.

As will become more apparent as the description of the mounting frameassembly 10 proceeds, the assembly can be mounted on nearly any type ofvehicle, including mid- to full-size pickup trucks, vans, tractors andthe like. Moreover, the mounting frame assembly 10 is especially suitedfor mounting thereon nearly any type of commercially available snow plowblade.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 , the mounting frame assembly 10comprises a horizontally disposed, heavy duty top member, verticalmember of various geometric design and shape attached to the top memberand a bottom horizontal member attached to the lower end of the verticalmember.

The mounting frame is attached to the snow plow at the bottom horizontalmember and attached to the vehicle at the top horizontal member. Theattachment means can include screws, nuts and bolts, welding, and othersimilar means.

The mounting frame is preferably fabricated from rugged, durablematerial, such as steel, iron, or other metals. However the frame may beconstructed of durable polymers, composites, or the like.

The specific shape and dimensions of the counting frame will varydepending on the size of the snow plow and vehicle to which it isattached. Preferably the top and bottom horizontal members are threedimensional rectangles and the vertical member is a pyramidal trapezoidin shape.

1. An attachment mechanism comprising; a horizontal top and bottommember; a vertical member with a top and bottom wherein the tophorizontal member is attached to the top of the vertical member and thebottom horizontal member is attached to the bottom of the verticalmember; and a vehicle and a snow plow wherein the vehicle is attached tothe top vertical member and the snow plow is attached to the bottomvertical member.